Look Up Houghton County Court Dockets
Houghton County court dockets are maintained by the 23rd Circuit Court and the Houghton County District Court, both operating from the Houghton County Courthouse. County Clerk Jennifer Lorenz oversees circuit court filings and public records for this Upper Peninsula county. Home to Michigan Technological University, Houghton County has a long court history tied to its copper mining heritage. This page explains how to access Houghton County court dockets online, request copies of case records, and understand what types of court filings are publicly available.
Houghton County Overview
Houghton County Courthouse and Clerk
The County Clerk's office is on the 2nd floor of the Houghton County Courthouse at 401 E. Houghton Ave., Houghton, MI 49931. Jennifer Lorenz is the County Clerk. Phone is (906) 482-1150 and fax is (906) 483-0364. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No money transactions are accepted after 4:00 p.m., so if you need to pay for copies, plan to arrive before that time.
The Clerk also handles circuit court record requests, vital records, and genealogy research assistance. For genealogy searches, the Clerk charges $5.00 for a basic 3-year search and $1.00 for each additional year. Passport photos cost $15.00 if you need to process a passport application at the Clerk's office. The courthouse also runs an Honor Rewards program for veterans who need access to county services.
| County Clerk | Jennifer Lorenz |
|---|---|
| Address | 401 E. Houghton Ave., 2nd Floor, Houghton, MI 49931 |
| Phone | (906) 482-1150 |
| Fax | (906) 483-0364 |
| Hours | Mon - Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (no transactions after 4:00 p.m.) |
| County Website | houghtoncounty.net |
The Houghton County website at houghtoncounty.net provides access to county services including the Clerk's department page and links to court information.
The county website lists all departments, contact information, and links to online resources including property and tax records available through county systems.
The County Clerk department page at houghtoncounty.net/directory-clerk.php explains clerk services including circuit court record requests, vital records, and genealogy assistance.
The clerk's page details service hours, fee schedules, and instructions for requesting copies of court records by mail or in person.
Houghton County Court Docket Search Options
The statewide Michigan Courts Case Search portal is the main tool for searching Houghton County court dockets online. It covers the 23rd Circuit Court and all other Michigan circuit courts. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. The system shows case status, docket entries, party information, and scheduled hearings. It is free and available any time.
For in-person record requests, visit the Clerk's office at 401 E. Houghton Ave. during regular hours. Remember no money transactions after 4:00 p.m. - plan to arrive with time to complete your visit. Staff can search by name or case number and tell you what documents are in the file. Public access terminals at the courthouse allow self-service lookups. Electronic access is limited for Houghton County, so in-person or mail requests are the primary way to get document copies.
Mail requests go to the County Clerk at 401 E. Houghton Ave., Houghton, MI 49931. Include the case number or party names, filing date, type of case, and payment. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for mail-back copies. Contact (906) 482-1150 first to confirm current fees before sending payment.
Note: The Houghton County Clerk does not accept money transactions after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays - plan your in-person visit to allow time to complete payment before the cutoff.
Types of Houghton County Court Docket Records
The 23rd Circuit Court docket covers all major cases in Houghton County. Felony criminal charges, significant civil disputes, divorce and custody proceedings, probate matters, and appeals from the district court all go through the circuit court. Each filing creates a docket entry that becomes part of the public record. The Register of Actions (ROA) is the authoritative docket document, tracking every event in a case from first filing to final judgment.
The Houghton County District Court handles lower-level cases: misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil matters under $25,000, and small claims. District court dockets are included in the statewide case search along with circuit court records. If you are looking for a traffic ticket from a few years ago or a minor criminal matter, start with the district court docket section of the statewide search.
Property and tax records are also available online through Houghton County systems. These are separate from court dockets. The Michigan SCAO forms page has standardized forms for all types of court filings accepted in Houghton County courts.
Public Access to Houghton County Court Records
Most Houghton County court records are open to the public under MCR 8.119. Anyone can request case docket information, copies of court orders, or other public case documents without being a party to the case. Courts must redact personal identifying information before releasing documents under MCR 8.119(H)(5), so some details will be removed from copies.
Certain case types are not public. PPO cases are excluded from online access under MCR 3.705. Juvenile records are sealed under MCL 600.1750. HYTA cases are confidential. First-time drug cases under MCL 333.7411 are also not searchable online. Michigan's 2020 Clean Slate Law means some older convictions may have been automatically expunged - those will not show up in current searches.
For official criminal history checks, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. Court docket searches are reference tools, not official background check services. The ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT provides certified criminal history data from Michigan's official records. The Michigan Legal Help site also offers resources on understanding court records and accessing them without a lawyer.
Genealogy and Historical Records in Houghton County
Houghton County's Clerk's office offers a genealogy research service for people searching historical records. The basic fee is $5.00 for a 3-year search period, with $1.00 charged for each additional year searched. Staff will assist researchers in finding materials, but the county Clerk's office does not perform detailed searches - you need to provide enough information to narrow the search. Visit during regular hours and expect to do some of the research work yourself.
For older historical court records, the Archives of Michigan holds Circuit Court and Court of Appeals case files. Research fees are $15.00 for a general search and $50.00 per case file for Supreme Court or Court of Appeals records. The Archives is at 702 W. Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, and can be reached at (517) 373-1408.
Online historical resources for Houghton County legal research include the Georgetown Law Library guide and the University of Michigan Law Library's Michigan legal research guide. These academic tools cover historical Michigan court records and can supplement what is available through the county and state court systems.
Cities in Houghton County
Houghton County includes Houghton, Hancock, and Calumet among its communities. No qualifying cities in this county meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All circuit court filings for Houghton County residents are handled by the 23rd Circuit Court at the Houghton County Courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Houghton County is in the Keweenaw Peninsula area of the Upper Peninsula. These adjacent Michigan counties also have their own circuit courts.